AGM 2016-2017

On Friday, June 2, 2017 the CDHNS held a social and retirement party for Patricia Grant, Registrar who is retiring after eight years at the end of June 2017. Over 70 people attended the social held at The Hollis Hotel in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The Council Chair Joyce Lind hosted the event and a number of guest speakers gave touching tributes to Patricia’s commitment to the field of dental hygiene.

Pictured to the right is Council Chair Joyce Lind presenting Patricia Grant, Registrar (left),with flowers.

2017 CDHNS AGM Highlights

On June 3, 2017 the 2016-2017 Annual General meeting took place at the McNally Main Theatre, Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, Nova Scotia with over 170 members in attendance. The Council Chair, Joyce Lind called the meeting to order and introduced the Council members present.

Lind also outlined the current Council nominations:

CDHNS Council Nominations for 2017-2019

Jennifer Clark, Enfield

Lindsay Macdonald, Halifax

Carrie Morrison, Dartmouth

Danielle Newell, Halifax

Mallory Pettigrew-Brent, Eastern Passage

Nicole Stevens, Chester

Helen Pitman, who works part-time for the College of Dental Hygienists of Nova Scotia started off the Continuing Competency part by outlining the recommendations in the White paper produced by CDHNS in 2014 called, “Dental Hygienists Prevent More to Treat Less”.Pitman is a graduate of Dalhousie University where she earned a Diploma in Dental Hygiene and a Bachelor of Science in Health Education. Helen has been employed in both the private and public sector for over 30 years. Helen has worked as a private practice dental hygienist, a dental hygiene instructor/ lecturer, a public health dental hygienist, a Community Health Board coordinator, a school team health educator, and a public health program manager.

Dr. Lisa Johnson, a graduate from the University of Toronto Dental School in 1999 and who has had a private practice for 13 years did a presentation called, “HPV & Oral Diseases” . She returned to the University of Toronto in 2012, to complete a four year degree in oral pathology and oral medicine. During her specialty training she also completed a Masters of Science degree. In November 2016, she and her husband relocated to Halifax, where she took an assistant professor position at Dalhousie University.

Dr. Louis Bourget received his Bsc in Physiology in 1983, and continued his research in physiology/anatomy and Biochemistry to complete his Masters and his PhD at McGill University by 1986. Accepted in a D.M.D. program at the McGill University, this degree was completed in 1990. A year of medical/dental internship allowed him to enter a Maxillofacial program at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia and completing a second Masters degree. After his Medical and surgical rotations, his training was completed by 1995. He received his FRCD in the same year. He spent some time in France doing a fellowship in Cleft Lip and Palate reconstruction and Facial esthetic. He completed a facial cosmetic fellowship in North Carolina and has taken extensive courses in advanced facial reconstruction all over North America and Europe.

He has an active staff position at the South Shore regional hospital and Eastern Regional Health authorities Hospital in NL. Part owner of the first accredited surgical suite in the Maritimes, he maintains a fulltime private practice in Oral and Maxillo-Facial functional and cosmetic Surgery all over the Maritimes. He maintains his ACLS certification and board member of the National lifeguard service.

One of his passions is his active role with his family foundation going on yearly Medical missions in Africa and Brazil, family and off shore sailing, skiing and martial art. Dr. Bourget is actively involved in the Bourget Foundation, established in 2008 to bring medical aid for missions in Africa and Brazil.

Pictured to the right is Dr. Louis Bourget and CDHNS Registrar, Patricia Grant.

On June 04, 2016, the 2015–2016 Annual General meeting took place at the McNally Main Theatre, St. Mary’s University in Halifax, NS with nearly two hundred members in attendance. The Council Chair Joyce Lind called the meeting to order and introduced the Council members present and special guest Dr. Robert Strang, the Chief Medical Officer of Health in NS.

Special GuestDr. Rob Strang, Chief Medical Officer of Health, Province of Nova Scotia brought remarks on behalf of the Minister of Health the Honorable Leo Glavine. Dr. Strang spoke to the government’s commitment to prevention, the overall oral health strategy in NS, and that multiple voices are needed to bring the message of the importance of oral health forward.

CDHA NS DirectorJoanne Noye, Nova Scotia member of the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association (CDHA) Board of Directors presented highlights of the CDHA activities through the past year.

Annual Report and Audit StatementsThe Annual Report 2015-2016 including the Council approved Audited Financial Statements was received by the membership and have been posted on the CDHNS website for members and the public to view. Public RepresentationMichele Brennan, the first officially appointed government representative on the CDHNS Council presented on the “role of the public members.” Michele also included the appointment and nomination process for government appointments to boards and councils.

Election of New Council MembersThe Nominations Slate was presented to the members present and two new Council members, Allison Craig and Vanessa Romain-Amirault, were elected and two returning Council members, Shannon O’Neill and Donna Samson, were re-elected for a two-year term.

Celebrating the Profession - AGM Presentations

Recognition of Committee Members - retiring 2015/16Joyce Lind recognized the members that had retired from the CDHNS Committees over the past year. Those in attendance who did not previously receive a certificate of recognition received one at the meeting.

“You Make Me Smile” - Courtney ReevesTo promote the profession and to honour our members, the CDHNS reinstated the “You Make Me Smile Award”. This award is presented to a dental hygienist who has been nominated by their client for extraordinary care or concern. The winner of the 2016 You Make Me Smile Award was Courtney Reeves. Courtney received the award as she was nominated for her dedication to oral health by one of her clients. Courtney was unable to attend the meeting and was presented with her award by the Registrar at a later date.

Ambassador of the Year - Paulette HawksworthShannon O’Neill was called to the stage to present the Ambassador of the Year Award to Paulette Hawksworth. Paulette was an advocate and great influence in changing Bill 60 – Amendments to the Smoke Free Places and Tobacco Access Act. Paulette has been the CDHNS representative at Smoke Free Nova Scotia for the past several years.

Council Members - Simone d’Entremont and Karen FullerJoyce Lind recognized and thanked the retiring Council members, Simone d’Entremont (pictured) and Karen Fuller by presenting them with framed certificates to honor their service on Council and to the CDHNS. Karen served a two-year term and Simone completed four years in total.

Focus on the Workplace - 2016 Continuing Education EventThe 2016 AGM was followed by the annual Continuing Education Event featuring informative and interesting speakers discussing professional workplace topics, a social time over lunch and door prizes!

Key Note Address – with Barb Fry, RN, BN, M. Ad. Ed. The morning began with a lively and humorous key note address entitled “Dental Hygienists Thriving and Leading in Our Changing Workplace”- a presentation for reflection which set the stage for the remainder of the day. Barb’s introduction promised that the participants would: 1. Explore some impacts of change on individuals, workplace relation ships, and quality of service.2. Reflect on leading and managing in today’s world of work.3. Ponder some tips for thriving.4. Laugh!

These objectives were met as Barb, using parallels between the dental hygiene profession and her experiences in the nursing profession, discussed such things as the transition phases of change, resistance to change, attitudes, types and toxic behaviors we can encounter in the workplace. Barb shared her Top Ten Tips for Thriving in the Workplace and her “Saturday Night Live Deep Thoughts”. Her delivery was sometimes light hearted, (who will forget that fabulous tiara) but whether humorous or serious she ultimately returned to the key message of professionalism: “At work you are accountable and responsible for professionalism. Your standards require it!”

Lunch/ Social Break/Celebrating our MembersParticipants enjoyed a casual buffet style lunch and time to socialize with classmates and meet new colleagues in the profession.

This marked the fifth Continuing Education Event held by the CDHNS and six members in attendance were recognized for their support of the CDHNS by attending all five. Recognized for “Perfect Attendance” were Sheena Burgess, Lisa Janacek, Heather Sutherland, Denise Tompkins and Micheline Kerekes. Missing from photos, Janet Hardy.

The afternoon began with Dental Hygiene Employment in Nova Scotia – Fact and Fiction presented by Patricia Grant, Registrar CDHNS. Patricia continued the theme of “Focus on the Workplace” with a look at the current employment situation in Nova Scotia and the results from the most recent CDHA Job Market and Employment Survey. Practical ideas on how to use this information in employment interviews and job performance and salary negotiations were discussed. The results of CDHA survey can be found on the at www.cdha.ca under Careers, then Job Market and Employment Survey.

After a refreshment break “Without transformation there would be no butterflies” was presented by Heather Bell, CDHNS Project Coordinator. This presentation was on the emerging work places for dental hygienists in alternate practice settings. Heather shared her work on reviewing independent practices under our legislation and the development of policy around independent practice. The presentation included information and resources available from the CDHNS for registrants who are considering an alternate practice setting and touch briefly on the topic of a “practice review”.

Learning from the Pioneers – what were they thinking? Two early adapters in independent dental hygiene practice Dianna Major and Wanda Fedora presented their stories on developing two very different types of dental hygiene practices in different areas of Nova Scotia.

Dianna Major presented Independent Practice – Is it for You? where she discussed her road to the establishment of Dianna Major Dental Hygiene Clinic in the Sackville area of Halifax. Dianna shared her advice to anyone thinking about independent practice, what she has learned, and what were the challenges and the joys she experienced along the way.

Following Dianna’s story, we heard from a second entrepreneur who told us she was “following the dream in Cape Breton.” Wanda told her story of wanting to work in long term care since before she graduated in dental hygiene and before our legislation would allow it! Wanda Fedora is the owner of Island Oral Health Services a mobile dental hygiene practice that has affiliation with several long term care institutions in the Sydney area. She gave a few pointers on how to get started and what to expect. Her presentation included slides from her work in the long term care environment, examples of critical documents such as a health questionnaire and assessment sheet, and information on how her days run.

For both of these independent practitioners the passion for the work they do with underserved communities showed through in their presentations. The panel members stayed to entertain questions from the audience.

Thank youSpecial thanks to all our sponsors and supporters especially Stephanie MacLellan from Sinclair Dental for supplying gift certificates for the door prizes and to Bonne Cuisine Catering for their continued support. Thank you also to CDHNS members who supported the event by attending and completing our evaluation survey. Hope many more of you will come and join us in 2017.